Known criminal tries to steal truck with dry gas tank in Auburn

State troopers arrested a 22-year-old man in Auburn early Tuesday morning after he reportedly carjacked a truck with an empty gas tank.

The man had just gotten out of jail in Clark County on Monday evening after being arrested on an outstanding warrant.

The truck ran out of gas along state Route 18 and the owner called a family member for help, according to State Patrol reports. The owner was napping in the driver’s seat about 4:30 a.m. when the 22-year-old man reportedly knocked on the window and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t give him the truck.

The owner ran away and called police.

As the carjacker tried to leave the scene, the truck drove forward about 50 yards and sputtered to a halt, reports say.

The man got out and began walking along the highway when troopers arrived. He tried to hide, but troopers apprehended him and booked him into King County Jail for investigation of robbery and vehicle theft.

Troopers never found a weapon.

The man had been released from Clark County Jail at 7:30 p.m. the previous night.